Methods for detecting autodigestion

Abstract

Materials and methods for detecting the early onset of shock and multi-organ failure by production of tissue breakdown products in biological samples (e.g., expired air).

1 . A method for determining the likelihood that a mammal is experiencing autodigestion, comprising:
 a) providing a biological sample from the mammal;   b) analyzing the biological sample for the presence of one or more tissue breakdown products; and   c) classifying the mammal as likely experiencing autodigestion if the one or more tissue breakdown products are present in the biological sample at a level higher than a control level of the one or more tissue breakdown products, or classifying the mammal as not likely experiencing autodigestion if the one or more tissue breakdown products are not present in the biological sample at a level higher than the control level of the one or more tissue breakdown products.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the biological sample is air expired by the mammal, air released from the digestive tract of the mammal, or air derived during skin evaporation. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the biological sample is selected from the group consisting of plasma, urine, saliva, tears, sweat fluid, abdominal fluid, and cerebrospinal fluid. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mammal is a human. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the human is diagnosed as having inflammatory bowel disease, autism, pancreatic inflammation and cancer, one or more small or large bowel malignancies, Alzheimer's disease, or another chronic degenerative disease associated with intestinal dysfunction. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more tissue breakdown products are selected from the group consisting of methional, pentanoic acid, 2-furfurylthiol, phenylacetaldehyde, 2,6-dimethyl-5-heptenal, (E)-2-octenal, 2-nonenal, citronellal, 2,3-diethyl-5-methylpyrazine, and 4-acetylmethylcyclohexene, putrescine, cadaverine, methanethiol, indole, skatole, and hydrogen sulfide. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the analyzing comprises using gas chromatography, liquid chromatography, mass spectroscopy, fluorescence detection, or polymeric detection. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the analyzing comprises using high sensitivity gas chromatography or a device with sensor technology specific for detection of small organic compounds. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the control level is the level of the one or more tissue breakdown products in a biological sample from a control mammal not experiencing autodigestion. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the control level is an average level of the one or more tissue breakdown products in biological samples from a population of control mammals not experiencing autodigestion. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, if the mammal is classified as likely experiencing autodigestion, treating the autodigestion by administering one or more digestive enzyme inhibitors. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising communicating information about the presence of the one or more tissue breakdown products to a medical professional. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining whether the mammal exhibits other symptoms of shock. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the symptoms of shock are selected from the group consisting of organ dysfunction, perfusion failure, skin color changes, increased plasma cytokine levels, and decreased reaction to stimuli. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the cytokine is selected from the group consisting of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1, interleukin-6, and interleukin-8.